Keeping Neighbors Kids At Bay After My Homebirth

[BabyMae09]

Any ideas? I live in a townhouse, so I have two immediate neighbors, both of whom I'm friendly with. That's not really the issue - the issue is the neighbor's kids. Some of them are as young as 4 years old, and all of them play outside all day, every day. Basically, they can't read - so if I were to post a 'do not disturb' sign, they'd still knock and ask to play with DS, who is seven.

Should I just move my car so people think we're not home? My concern is that I'll be in labor, or trying to sleep right afterwards and people will come-a-knockin' looking for DS.

We're not having a mid-wife (we're having a UC) and my parents will be watching DS at their house until about a day after DD is born - so they can't really help, either.

Also, I don't want DP to leave me every hour or so to answer the door! I'm totally blank on ideas here. Thanks for your suggestions in advance!!!

[Punchy Kaby]

Make a sign before you go into labor and go over it with them so they know when it is hung up on your door that you're not to be disturbed.

[JD5351]

If it wouldn't screw up your concentration, could you just not answer the door? Or maybe give their parents a call and ask them to keep them away until further notice..You don't have to tell them what you're doing, just that your son is not at home, and you are not feeling well and need your privacy and quiet.

[LiLStar]

What about just telling their parents not to let them come over? If your neighbor's peek out their door would it be easy to see if there was a sign on your door? Maybe when you're getting close to your edd, give the parents a heads up to check for a sign on your door before letting their kids come over.

[scrappingmom]

perhaps a small flag would work, if a sign might not be visible, that parents would know as much as they need to that its near time, time shortly after, please dont disturb whatever. maybe as "practice" you could put it out for a while each day that youd just like quiet?! even a 4yr old could be shown a sign(maybe on colored paper) or flag and told when they see it at teh door it means DS is not there and that you are resting so please no knocking..... the idea could even be used if baby is napping for the first few weeks...???

[kriket]

I like the flag idea!

Also, your LO is 7? He should be old enough to answer the door (they will knock anyways) and tell them if he can or can't come out. That could be a job of his while you are in labour and postpartum, doorman!

[russianthistle]

I like the flag idea, too. I also thought you could talk to the parents, in advance... I might feel overwhelmed by this, honestly. But, I think by dealing with it, in advance, you might be able to nip this in the bud.

[jenneology]

Sounds alot like my situation, I had to laugh. Our neighbors know its not a good time to come over if they see our curtain closed. Its just always been that way, they know if the curtain is open we are up and ready to play; if its closed, we're probably sleeping. I'm facing the dilemma of what if I want the curtain open while I'm laboring? Then half the complex will see because I have the most visible backdoor in the comples. I do feel pretty strongly about letting sunlight in while laboring in my birth pool.

I think for both of us, I'm going to hope for night labors so we don't even have to deal with neighbor kids during daytime.

[BabyMae09]

Originally Posted by jenneology

I think for both of us, I'm going to hope for night labors so we don't even have to deal with neighbor kids during daytime.

That would be awesome - but in my first dream about DD's birth, sunlight was streaming in the window onto her! Although, that's not technically possible, since our bedroom windows face north!

I'm hoping she'll be born around 10pm or so - I don't mind laboring in the daytime as long as transition happens after the neighbor kids are in bed, and I'd like to sleep afterward, uninterrupted!

: late night labor vibes for both of us!!!